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Russia keeping close watch on US midterms, not interfering, assures senator

Konstantin Kosachev noted that the American political landscape is embroiled in a heated inter-party struggle, in which a variety of arguments were being used, "but the disagreements in no way influence the US’ assessments of what is happening in Ukraine and of Russia's actions"

MOSCOW, November 8. /TASS/. Russia is keeping an eye on the US midterm elections, but is not interfering in any way for the simple reason that it would make no sense to do so, Federation Council Speaker Konstantin Kosachev said on Tuesday.

"It would be strange to pretend that we are not watching them [the elections]," Kosachev said on one of Moscow’s radio stations.

He emphasized that the purpose of such interest is the desire to be informed and understand what is happening in the United States, he specified.

"However, we are not interfering, nor have we ever interfered before. I am certain about this for the simple reason that meddling does not make sense. I believe that expecting some radical change in US policies with the advent of the Republicans, should they gain the majority in the House of Representatives, would be utterly unrealistic," Kosachev contended.

He noted that the American political landscape is embroiled in a heated inter-party struggle, in which a variety of arguments were being used, "but the disagreements in no way influence the US’ assessments of what is happening in Ukraine and of Russia's actions."

"There is practically a consensus in this regard," Kosachev noted.

He foresees no fundamental changes in Washington’s policies towards Russia and Ukraine.

Voting in the US midterm elections kicked off on Tuesday morning. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate will be contested. Most states are electing their governors. The first polling stations opened at 5:00 a.m. in the northeastern state of Vermont.

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